The Throwing Circle: Lessons Learned in the Ring about Life, Success, and the Power of Coach-Athlete Relationships
When a coach and athlete are aligned, greatness can follow.
Luis Rivera was an unknown talent strolling through his small college cafeteria.
Dr. Charles J. Infurna was a curious volunteer coach still discovering his place in the profession.
Together, they persevered through challenges and found success in the hammer throwing ring, uplifting their respective lives in the process—including for years after Rivera graduated and moved on from track and field.
Readers get to see the detailed dynamics of the coach-athlete relationship, where trust, respect, and mutual understanding lay the groundwork for victory.
Dr. Infurna writes about his coaching career with vulnerability, from a frustrating first job that still managed to gain his interest in how he might get the best results out of all his athletes to learning how to mentor an elite thrower like Rivera. Along the way, Dr. Infurna had to question his own assumptions and find his self-confidence to see what it meant to be a “lightgiver.”
With the deft hand of a memoirist, Dr. Infurna peels back layers of growth in each chapter, personally and professionally, and shares the evolution of his coaching philosophy, forged by trials, failures, and ultimately, triumphs. Dr. Infurna blends a coach’s empathy and a researcher’s inquisitiveness with a sportsman’s passion to express the powerful influence of the coach-athlete dynamic on athletic performance, with perspectives that extend beyond the sporting fields.
Thoughtful and motivating, The Throwing Circle represents the meaning of mentorship, resilience, and the enormous opportunities that result when fate and dedication come together.
About the Author
Dr. Charles J. Infurna is a dynamic and energetic speaker and coach who has dedicated his research and coaching career toward unraveling the intricacies of interpersonal dynamics in the world of sport.
His research delves into the profound impact of coach-athlete relationships on athletic performance and athlete well-being. His work has provided practical insights for coaches and athletes looking to enhance the quality of their relationships. Through his publications, presentations, and collaborations with sports organizations, Dr. Infurna continues to shape the landscape of coach-athlete relationship research, empowering coaches and athletes alike to cultivate meaningful connections and achieve their highest potential in sport and life.
Dr. Infurna holds an EdD in executive leadership from St. John Fisher University and an advanced degree in school building leadership, a graduate degree in curriculum and instruction, and an undergraduate degree in childhood education from the State University of New York at Fredonia.
He grew up in Rochester, New York, and now lives in Almond, New York, with his four inquisitive and energetic boys—Joseph, Dominic, Santino, and Roman.
